ALOT of advice needed !!

neelm

Hi guys,

ok this is could be a long one and may well lead to me being kicked off cause I'm about to ask for alot of information. Ok like alot of people recently my company has just joined the cycle2work scheme, and we have £1000 we can spend on a new bike. But we're limited to using Halfords. I've spoken to them and they can source bike's from else where. In fact the guy I spoke to on the phone was really helpful and actually emailed me a list of all the makes they can source (listed below) :

Halfords range- including Boardman, Dahon, Kona, Pashley
Specialized
Voodoo
Giant
Scott
Cannondale
Orange
Trek(Collection only)
Marin (Collection only)
Gary Fisher (Collection Only)
Mezzo
Charge
Ridgeback
Genesis
Pearson
Viner Gladius
Dolan Mythos
GT International range
Wilier
Ridley
Pashley
Dawes
Brompton
Urban Mover
Powabyke

So my basic questions are :

1) Which brands are worth considering and
2) Out of those brands which would be the best sub £1000 bike

I'm looking for a hardtail.

I realise this is a really open posting and it's a highly individual choice on bikes, but any pointers, leads, advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

nicklouse

whatever fits best. and does what you want it to do.

why list Road brands? or are you looking at a road bike? do you really want a small wheeled Town bike?

Get into Halfrauds and see what best suits then start asking questions.

GrantyBoy

Boardman Pro Hardtail, its waht I got with my voucher. Well chuffed with the bike.

MrChuck

The range you have there is enormous and you haven't really said anything about what you're looking for (apart from 'hardtail') so I'd say it's pretty much impossible to say which is best for you!

Can you at least narrow the type of riding you have in mind down a bit?

bomberesque

Voodoo are the prettiest

*shrug*

neelm

Hey guys

sorry doing this in my lunch hour so was rushed. Just copied and pasted the info the guy sent me. I'm going to be riding the bike to work, but also be doing some off road biking, (missus and a few friends are into it). I wouldn't say it's going to be hardcore stuff or anything but still if I got the bug would like to know I have a bike that I could step up a gear or two with.

As you've probably guessed I'm fairly new to bikes !!

I've done some research and have read alot of good things about Voodoo, Specialised, Boardman and Marin. So if it helps could we narrow it down to these 4 and any thoughts on the pros and cons of each ? ie. Voodoo D-Jab v Marin Mat 4 v Boardman Hardtail Pro ?

The Northern Monkey

GrantyBoy wrote:

Boardman Pro Hardtail

+1.

Nice and light for a commute, great xc bike.
£999.99
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html

If anyone finds better spec for the money i'll eat my inner tubes.

Stoo61

Boardmans are belters.

jairaj

what type of off road riding are aiming to do? If its just canal tow path, nice flat bridle ways etc then you might be better off with a hybrid rather than mountain bike. But if the terrain is a bit rougher then a hardtail mountain bike is fully justified.

GrantyBoy

I'll also add I use my Boardman for the daily commute and it does the job well.
Seriously I doubt you'll get a better bike for the cash.

It almost got a perfect 10/10 from What Moutain Bike in a recent test, only the tyres stopped that.

RossOB

Boardman is the best for spec and I will eat my chain if someone does a better value bike !!

Si78

Hi,

+1, Boardman Pro! Gorgeous bike, and a bargain for £1000!

or

Get the Boardman Team for £850, and spend the other £150 on all the accessories you may need?

Any of the Boardmans are great bikes...Ive got the Sport, cheapest in the range, and its fantastic off-road, and when Im riding to work too.

Best going down to Halfords and have a sit on them, see if they fit you ok, and you feel comfortable on them!

Si

jmillen

Get yourself to Halfords, test ride a Boardman Pro....if it fits and you like it, buy it.

You won't find a better spec'd hardtail for the money. Had my a week and its been absolutely brilliant